For the most part, deleting files or folders on Windows is a pretty straightforward affair. But sometimes, Windows can prevent you from deleting a file or folder because it’s currently in use or because of lack of ownership over that file or folder. In such cases, despite your best efforts, you will not be allowed to delete these files or folders as they will be in a locked state.
Well, if you can’t seem to pinpoint the specific reason behind it and you’ve decided to delete that file/folder from your system, here are the best ways to force delete the above file or folder. Windows 10.
1. Use an administrator account
On Windows, if you want to access, modify, or delete a file and folder, you need administrator permission. Therefore, you need to log in with an administrator account on Windows to force delete that file or folder from your PC.
2. Close the file in use
If some program is currently using the file or folder that you are trying to delete on Windows 10, you will get a ‘File in use’ error. To get rid of that error, close said program using Task Manager. Alternatively, if it’s a background process that prevents the file or folder from being deleted, you can use the built-in Windows Task Manager to stop that process. This is the way.
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys. In there, find the process or program that is using the file. Right click on it and select End task from to close the program.
Once closed, go ahead and see if you can delete the file or folder.
3. Using the Command Prompt
If you’re comfortable, you can also use the command prompt to force delete files or folders on your PC. This is the way.
Step 1: Open File Explorer and fetch the file or folder that is not deleted. Select it and click Copy Path option at the top to copy the location of the file/folder.
Step 2: Now open Start menu, type cmd and click Run as administrator on your right side to open it with admin rights.
Step 3: In the Command Prompt window enter the following command and press Enter to delete a file or folder.
erase
Replace in the above command with the path of the file or directory copied in Step 1.
Remember, using the del command will completely delete that file or directory. So you won’t find a restoreable copy of it in the Trash.
4. Change file ownership
If you are trying to delete a file or folder that is created and owned by another user, you may have trouble deleting that file or folder. Therefore, you need to take ownership of that file/folder first to delete or modify it. Read on to learn how to transfer ownership of files.
Step 1: Right-click on the file or folder and select Properties.
Step 2: In the Properties window, switch to the Security tab and click Advanced.
Step 3: In the following window you will find the name of the owner at the top. Click the Change button next to it.
Step 4: In the Select User or Group window, enter your username in the white box and click OK.
Close all windows and try to see if you can delete the file or folder now.
5. Use Safe Mode
If the methods mentioned above fail, your last option is to switch to Safe Mode in Windows 10. Using Safe Mode will restrict all third-party programs from getting in the way. deletion process and makes deleting files easy. Here’s how to enter Safe Mode on Windows 10.
Step 1: Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Then select Update & Security.
Step 2: Go to the Recovery section on your left side and then click the ‘Reboot Now’ button under ‘Advanced Startup’ on your right.
Step 3: Next, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings. Then click the Restart button.
Step 4: After your computer restarts and the Startup Settings menu appears, select any instance of Safe Mode by pressing the corresponding key (4, 5 or 6) to enter Mode Safe.
Once you’re in Safe Mode, go ahead and see if you can delete that file or folder.
Find the force
Using the above methods will definitely help you to force delete any stubborn files or folders on Windows 10. Similarly, you can also force delete temporary files on Windows to free up valuable storage space on your PC.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
